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Hey Bartender
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Barely Buzzed creator Amin Mozeb is a master mixologist with over 10 years of bartending experience.  He brought Barely Buzzed to fruition in 2017, as a consulting company that specializes in liquid catering for events and private parties. This year Mozeb will be creating classes for people who want to have fun, learn technique and the skills needed to become a bartender.

“It (Barley Buzzed) is a lifestyle that I try to pass on to other people creating moments into memories,” said Mozeb. “We create different party ideas for people to enjoy that most don’t get to see on a normal basis at a house party, bar or restaurant.”

Mozeb has spent some time traveling the world where he learned different techniques and ways of doing business. One of his favorite places was Barcelona, which he calls the capital of cocktails that had some of the best bars and restaurants in the world. He has been the bartender at establishments but prior to the pandemic he was the liquid caterer at events and consulting with bars and restaurants by creating a new beverage program for them and training their staff, sharing skills and techniques. 

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With events being canceled, bars and restaurants closed and the uncertainty of the hospitality industry, Mozeb plans on expanding Barely Buzzed into bartending classes or just fun classes for people like a paint night or date night with cocktails in the near future. 

“The most enjoyable part is being a part of the hospitality business and being a part of this wonderful industry that allows you to be an entertainer, friend and therapist,” added Mozeb. “My favorite part is creating moments into memories, with smiles and laughter and love all through creating a beautiful cocktail and allowing them to experience something that they might not have had through a creation that we make. I love being innovative and staying up on the trends.”

Mozeb has shared three cocktails with us using tequila for the Pineapple Cha Cha, vodka for the Apple of My Eye and a Southern Kiss made with bourbon. 

The Pineapple Cha Cha was so named, he said, because when you drink it you will want to do the Cha Cha. Pour 2 ounces of silver tequila in a shaker, ¼ ounce lime juice (half of a lime), ¼ ounce simple syrup (2 cups water, 1 cup sugar), 4 ounces Dole Pineapple juice out of the can, a pinch of chili powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Shake the ingredients over ice and strain into a glass with a chili powder and sea salt rim. Use the lime on the rim so the chili and salt mixture stick to the glass and add pineapple wedges, slices or chunks. The flavors go well together and it is not spicy so if you want to turn the heat up add more chili powder. It is very refreshing for a warm summer day. 

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Apple of my Eye is made with 2 ounces vodka, 1.5 ounces cranberry juice, 1 ounce fresh squeezed blood orange, that is topped off with unfiltered apple juice or hard cider, whichever you prefer. Give the drink a quick stir and it is ready to quench your thirst. 

For the bourbon drinkers, a Southern Kiss will hit the spot. Fill a shaker with ice and pour 2 ounces of bourbon, half a fresh squeezed lemon, half a fresh squeezed orange, ½ ounce maple syrup, and 4 dashes of angostura bitters. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with an orange peel. This one is a cross between an old fashioned and a whiskey sour, with the aromas of the lemon, orange, bitters with nutmeg and herbs complementing the bourbon.